Pittsburgh residents can expect inclement weather leading into the weekend, as the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh forecasted in their Area Forecast Discussion released early Tuesday. An upper-level low is swaying across the region, bringing ample showers and the potential for thunderstorms.
Tuesday's weather is largely influenced by an upper low meandering towards the Lower Ohio Valley, ensuring a persistent wet spell. Pockets of heavy rainfall could especially impact areas such as eastern Tucker County, WV, where the likelihood of an inch of rain is pegged at around 70 percent. However, flooding concerns are tempered by previously dry conditions, hinting at a sigh of relief for locals wary of waterlogged streets. The forecast discussion notes that the dry antecedent conditions will be mentioned in the Hazardous Weather Outlook rather than issuing a flood watch.
The midweek period isn't faring much better with continued showers, though their coverage is somewhat decreased. An anticipated rise in diurnal instability on Wednesday could stir up additional thunderstorms across the Ohio Valley. As the week progresses, a cold front is expected on Thursday night, ramping up the potential for severe storms, per the National Weather Service's report. The wildcard here is the overnight instability, a decisive factor for the severity of the ensuing weather.
Looking towards the weekend, the weather theme remains unsettled. Model forecasts suggest strong to severe storms could again rear up on Friday, with the front's progression slowing and aligning with the upper-level flow. "Enough instability and shear is expected again by Friday afternoon, with additional strong to severe storms possible," according to the National Weather Service discussion. The skies may offer a brief reprieve on Sunday, with drier conditions forecasted to return by Monday, closing the book on a tempest-tossed week.
Travelers taking to the skies should be prepared for disturbances, with the forecast indicating potential restrictions and showers into Wednesday. A short window of VFR conditions under Thursday’s ridging will likely be interrupted as another low-pressure system sweeps in late Thursday into Friday. With a tumultuous weather pattern set to persist, travelers and residents alike would be well-advised to keep abreast of the latest prognostications and pack a sturdy umbrella.
